Principal Scientist (Director), Chemistry

Job Description

Description

Our company is currently seeking an exceptional chemist for a group leader position within the Process Chemistry Department located at our Rahway, NJ site. A successful candidate will be joining a group of innovative laboratory scientists with broad deliverables ranging from the design of manufacturing routes for drug candidates to executing and coordinating deliveries of active pharmaceutical ingredient to support our company's pipeline and products. We are looking for a team player with strong leadership skills and ability and passion for mentoring and working along others in a laboratory setting. The candidate will work closely within multidisciplinary teams comprised of synthetic organic chemists, engineers, and external research partners

(both academic and industrial). A Ph.D. in chemistry or related discipline with a demonstrated ability for taking initiative and innovative problem solving is critical. A successful candidate is expected to apply cutting edge methodologies into synthetic routes to accelerate deliveries of active pharmaceutical ingredient to support pre-clinical and clinical studies. An established excellent reputation for scientific excellence supported by publications and external presentations is expected. Candidates must possess strong written and oral communication skills and the ability to drive results as a team leader.

Education Minimum Requirement

Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry or related discipline

Required Experience and Skills

• Minimum 7 years of experience with a proven track record of successful research in process chemistry

• Must have a strong track record of delivering results via innovation and fearless problem solving.

• Broad expertise in organic synthesis and experience in pharmaceutical process chemistry and adjacencies

• Demonstrated ability for taking initiative, creativity and innovation in problem solving

• Productivity and efficiency working in the laboratory

• Strong written and oral communication skills

• Excellent collaboration skills

• Established scientific reputation supported by publications and external presentations

Required Skills:

Academic Presentations, Accountability, Bioconjugation, Computational Chemistry, Creativity, Data Analysis, Deep Learning, High-Throughput Experimentation (HTE), Machine Learning (ML), Organic Synthesis, Professional Networking, Project Leadership, Research Proposal Development, Scientific Leadership, Scientific Literature Search, Strategic Thinking, Structure Based Drug Design, Synthetic Chemistry

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

U.S. Hybrid Work Model

Effective September 5, 2023, employees in office-based positions in the U.S. will be working a Hybrid work consisting of three total days on-site per week, Monday - Thursday, although the specific days may vary by site or organization, with Friday designated as a remote-working day, unless business critical tasks require an on-site presence.This Hybrid work model does not apply to, and daily in-person attendance is required for, field-based positions; facility-based, manufacturing-based, or research-based positions where the work to be performed is located at a Company site; positions covered by a collective-bargaining agreement (unless the agreement provides for hybrid work); or any other position for which the Company has determined the job requirements cannot be reasonably met working remotely. Please note, this Hybrid work model guidance also does not apply to roles that have been designated as “remote”.

The salary range for this role is

$173,200.00 - $272,600.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits.  Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

You can apply for this role through https://jobs.merck.com/us/en (or via the Workday Jobs Hub if you are a current employee). The application deadline for this position is stated on this posting.

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

04/20/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.